Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for
you,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;
5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in
the word of the truth of the gospel

Colossians 1:3-5

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. Thanksgiving Prayer

a) This was an outstanding feature of Paul

i) His personal life
ii) His pastoral ministry

b) He is always able to find reasons to give thanks to the Lord

i) This must be our challenge too
ii) May praying and giving thanks be a part of our life and ministry

2. Prayer is relating

a) To God the Father
b) To the Lord Jesus Christ
c) Paul is very consistent in this regard
d) He is able to see the work of God the Father
e) And also, the work of the Lord Jesus Christ

3. Two things were highlighted about the Colossians

a) Their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

i) This has to be genuine
ii) This was also proven

iii) This was not a theoretical faith

b) Their love for the saints

i) Love is a fruit of the Spirit of God
ii) It is a good proof of genuine faith in the Lord

4. What motivated the Colossians?

a) It was their hope in heaven
b) This hope was part and parcel of the Gospel
c) The Gospel must always be based on the word of truth!

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. It is good to check how we present the Gospel

a) It is centred in the Lord Jesus
b) In the Word of truth

2. It is also good to check the fruit of the Gospel we preach

a) Faith
b) Love
c) Hope

3. It is important that we present the Gospel

a) Effectively

b) Emphasizing the right things

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan